NaraNjo-Sa'al - World Monuments Fund

2. Consolidation of the Monuments
The stabilization and consolidation of Naranjo-Sa’al’s standing architecture
has been a project priority. Since 2007, numerous looters’ trenches have been
stabilized, anastylosis has been carried out on masonry walls and steps, surviving
stucco and paint surfaces are undergoing treatment, and destabilizing trees growing
atop structures (and tree roots penetrating them) have been removed. Limited
excavations are also being carried out on select architectural elements for the purpose
of site presentation. For buildings and building elements that are susceptible to water
ingress, environmentally sensitive covers are being designed and installed to protect
structures, while holes and cracks within them are being filled to enhance water-shedding
profiles.
Of the eight buildings in the site core, which had been placed on a list of structures
needing immediate intervention, work has been completed on three; a fourth is
undergoing treatment as of this writing. The goal of such intervention has not been
one of complete restoration and reconstruction but of stabilization and consolidation
in keeping with the concept of an archaeological garden city nestled amid its natural
forest environment. In addition to consolidation and stabilization, the 8 buildings are
being outfitted with wooden staircase structures so that visitors to the site will be able
to explore them without damaging the fragile archaeological remains. Furthermore,
consolidated buildings are being landscaped with appropriate vegetation to prevent
wear on their surfaces and to improve their presentation. All work being carried out
under this rubric is being documented photographically.
The eight buildings in order of intervention priority are:
· Temple of the Hieroglyphic Staircase (B18)—upper section of chambers
· Five-Story Palace (B15)—north patio area
· B24—consolidation of the ornamental masks on the north and south façades
· West Acropolis (A1)—west façade wall
· Great Pyramid (C9)—east façade wall and plinth
· B19—west façade
· North plinth of the Central Acropolis (B5)
· The restoration of the Palace of Nine Doors (south façade), which served as an
entrance to acropolis B5 and as a northern border of ball court 2
The 2007 conservation plan called for the work on one structure a year to be completed
over the course of eight years. Work is now complete on the Hieroglyphic Staircase
(B18), the Five-Story Palace (B15), and structure A1; work on the Great Pyramid
(C9) is now underway. Consolidation and landscaping work is slated to be carried out
on the remaining monuments on the priority list over the next three years.
In addition, ecologically friendly camp facilities have been constructed to support
the conservation team. These facilities include six solar panels, toilets, showers, and a
water recycling system.
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